Forum Agenda

Discover how governments, industries, and innovators are shaping the future amid the rapid evolution of advanced and frontier technologies. Each session presents bold ideas, actionable strategies, and fresh perspectives designed to inspire and inform. Your active participation will help drive insightful conversations and meaningful outcomes.  We invite you to join us to contribute your insights and help shape the dialogue.

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Speaker

Dr. Basma AlBuhairan

Managing Director, Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Saudi Arabia

10:00–10:10

Keynote Speech (Pre-Recorded Video)

Speaker

Børge Brende

President and CEO, World Economic Forum

10:10–10:15

From Silos to Systems: Governing Convergence Across Borders, Sectors, and Societies

As Industry 4.0 and frontier technologies, such as AI, quantum computing, biomanufacturing, and automation reshape sectors and societies, nations find themselves at a strategic crossroads. Industrial competitiveness, economic resilience, and social progress are no longer the domain of isolated policy silos but the result of interconnected systems that must be governed coherently and inclusively.

This panel will examine how leaders are rethinking governance in the age of convergence from national coordination to global cooperation, and from infrastructure to inclusion. It will spotlight strategies for synchronizing public policy, institutional design, investment, and international collaboration to ensure that transformative technologies deliver sustainable and equitable impact.

Moderator

Jeremy Jurgens

Managing Director & Head of the Forum's Centre for Frontier Technologies and Innovation and Centre for Cybersecurity, World Economic Forum

Speakers

H.E. Dr. Munir Eldesouki

President, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, and Board Chairman, Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Saudi Arabia

H.E. Prof. Mohammed AlHayaza

President, Alfaisal University

10:15–10:45

PeerLink: Connecting SMEs for Impact

This session introduces PeerLink, a collaborative environment designed to accelerate SME digitalization by lowering participation barriers, enabling trusted knowledge exchange, and fostering insight-driven collaboration. PeerLink empowers SMEs to learn from one another, leverage proven practices, and co-develop solutions in an open, peer-led network, enhancing their ability to adopt and benefit from emerging technologies.

Moderator

Cassidy Lyon

Managing Director (Saudi Arabia), Emerging Markets Intelligence & Research

Speakers

Ali Alkhashan

General Manager of Eastern Sector, Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (MODON)

Memia Fendri

Lead, Resilient and Sustainable Value Chains; Content Curator, World Economic Forum

Dr. Majid AlGwaiz

Deputy Minister, Ministry of Energy

Dr. Ammar AlNahwi

Director of Corporate Innovation, Saudi Aramco

Dr. Rudiger Ahrend

Head of Division, Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development

11:05–12:05

Inside the Future: A Metaverse Journey through Advanced Manufacturing

Step into the future of industry with the Advanced Manufacturing Technologies Center (AMTC) at KACST. Designed as a hub for innovation, learning, and collaboration, AMTC brings together industry leaders, researchers, entrepreneurs, and students to explore the cutting edge of Advanced Manufacturing.

This unique metaverse session offers an immersive, interactive virtual tour of the AMTC. Participants will experience the center’s state-of-the-art facilities in real time, exploring every aspect of its advanced capabilities, from additive and subtractive manufacturing to smart logistics, simulation, quality control, and collaborative innovation spaces.

Speaker

Dr. Ibrahim AlShunaifi

Expert Researcher, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Project Lead, Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Saudi Arabia

11:00–12:00

14:45–18:00

Neurotechnology: From Mind to Machine

Neurotechnology is moving rapidly from clinical use into mainstream applications, powered by advances in brain–computer interfaces and AI. These tools hold the promise of restoring lost functions, improving quality of life, and even extending human cognition into new forms of mind–machine symbiosis. At the same time, they raise urgent questions around privacy, informed consent, inequality, and identity. In this session, leading experts will examine the current state of neurotechnology, separating near-term reality from hype, and discuss the safeguards needed to ensure its responsible development. The conversation will explore how societies can unlock neurotechnology’s potential while protecting human dignity and trust.

Speakers

Prof. Imed Gallouzi

Prof. of Bioscience & Chair of the Center of Excellence for Smart Health, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology

Prof. Muhammad Zuheir AlKawi

Director Research Ethics Monitoring Office, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology

12:00–12:30

Future of Education

Education systems worldwide are under pressure to keep pace with rapid technological change, shifting labor markets, and global disruption. For Saudi Arabia, the challenge goes beyond digitizing classrooms: it is about transforming learning models to prepare students for the jobs and skills of the future. The stakes are high; if systems fail to adapt, societies risk widening skills gaps and missing opportunities for economic competitiveness.

This session brings together leaders from government, academia, and industry to explore the future of education. At its core is a central question: is technology serving as a genuine transformer of education, or is it merely reinforcing the status quo? Panelists will examine bold opportunities to reimagine institutions, ensure inclusive and human-centered learning, and align reforms with global goals such as those set by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Moderator

Dr. Reem Taibah

Project Lead, Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Saudi Arabia

Speakers

Prof. Alina Matyukhina

Global Head of Cybersecurity, Siemens

Prof. Andreas Cangellaris

Founding President, NEOM University

Prof. Amany AlShawi

Chief Executive Officer, Academy 32

12:15–13:00

Driving National Transformation Through Data and AI

The rapid convergence of digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence is reshaping how governments design and deliver services. Around the world, AI-enabled platforms are streamlining operations, improving foresight in crisis management, and enabling more specialized public services. Yet this transformation also raises urgent questions, such as: “How can they keep pace with technological change while building trust, inclusivity, and resilience in the services citizens rely on most?“

This session brings together leaders at the forefront of digital transformation to explore how the convergence of digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence is creating new operating systems for governance. This discussion will examine the challenges posed by rapid technological change, highlighting key enablers for innovation and scalability, and charting a path for future readiness.

Speaker

H.E. Dr. Esam AlWagait

Director, National Information Center

14:40–14:55

Strategic Minerals and Semiconductors Innovations

The semiconductor industry stands at the heart of today’s technological revolution, driving progress in artificial intelligence, advanced electronics, communications, and clean energy solutions. Yet, the chips that enable these breakthroughs rely heavily on a steady supply of strategic minerals—materials often sourced from a limited number of countries, making the global supply chain vulnerable to shocks. Recent geopolitical shifts, trade restrictions, and rising demand have underscored the urgency of securing reliable access to these critical inputs.

Against this backdrop, Saudi Arabia’s vast and untapped reserves of strategic minerals represent both a national opportunity and a global solution. With the right investments in extraction, refining, and innovation, the Kingdom can position itself not only as a stable supplier but also as a leader in advancing the technologies that underpin resilient, diversified, and future-ready semiconductor supply chains.

Moderator

Nadia Al Amoudi

Executive Director for Strategy and Operational Excellence, National Center for Environmental Compliance

Speakers

Dr. Fernando J. Gómez

Head, Future of Materials Program, World Economic Forum

Dr. Saeed AlShihri

Vice President for Energy and Industry Sector, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology

15:00–15:30

PolicyLens: Using AI to Anticipate Policy Impact

AI tools are rapidly reshaping how decisions are made across industries from finance and logistics to education and healthcare. Yet when it comes to public policy, a critical question remains: how can AI safely enhance decision-makers’ judgment, de-risk, and create safe sandboxes for testing ideas before they become decisions? This demonstration session introduces PolicyLens, an AI-powered ex-ante policy assessment tool built precisely for that purpose.

PolicyLens helps governments, think tanks, and advisory firms evaluate policies before they are implemented by combining structured reasoning with system simulation. Participants will see how PolicyLens maps policy systems using eight different analytical frameworks that simulate real-world dynamics through the Policy and tests each proposal’s logic, feasibility, and risk exposure across the eight analytical stages.

Speaker

Dr. Sami Mahroum

Director, Oliver Wyman and Founder at SparkX

15:00–16:00

Navigating the Ethical Dilemmas of Frontier Technologies

As the boundaries between brain, algorithm, and synthetic realities blur, a core question emerges: how do we protect human agency in a world where machines can shape thoughts, emotions, and perception? GenAI, neurotechnology, and synthetic media are already reshaping decision-making, political discourse, and even our sense of what is real. This session explores the safeguards, governance models, and design principles needed to ensure that, as these technologies advance, they foster autonomy, trust, and the capacity of societies to adapt to technological disruption.

Moderator

Hani AlHemsi

Director of Technology Development, Ministry of Communication and Information Technology

Speakers

Prof. Selwa AlHazzaa

CEO and Founder, SDM Tech

Prof. Hoda Al Khzaimi

Associate Vice Provost of Research Translation and Innovation, New York University Abu Dhabi, Strategic Economic, Technology, and Investment Advisor, and National Expert on Advanced Sciences and Future Economy, UAE Presidential Program

Sir. Prof. Gabriele Pao-Pei Andreoli

President, Institute for Advanced Studies and Cooperation

Dr. Akram Awad

Managing Director and Partner, Boston Consulting Group

15:30–16:15

Overcoming Supply Chain Challenges: AI, Automation & Localization Strategies

Advancements in AI, automation, and localization are reshaping how goods are manufactured and distributed. AI is improving foresight by predicting disruptions and supporting faster, more informed decision-making. Automation is changing operations, boosting speed, reducing errors, and lowering reliance on manual labor. Localization is moving production and assembly closer to end markets, giving countries greater control and reducing exposure to global shocks.

Individually, each of these strategies brings benefits; however, the real opportunity lies in their integration. This session will examine what it takes to build supply chains that are not only predictive and automated, but also locally resilient, while addressing the trade-offs that come with this transformation. 

Moderator

Faisal Hamady

Managing Director and Partner, Boston Consulting Group

Speakers

Salih AlSubai

Vice President of Technology Strategy and Architecture, Saudi Telecom Company

Prof. Janet Godsell

Dean, Loughborough University

Dr. Fatmah Baothman

CEO, FI-Holding Saudi Arabia and Board Member of the Global Center for AI Excellence in London

16:00–16:45

Inclusive by Design: Advancing Gender Equity in the Tech Economy

How can governments, corporations, and research institutions hardwire gender equity into the DNA of tomorrow’s tech economy? This topic will be examined during the session through compelling case studies, frameworks, and ecosystem-level interventions, highlighting successful models that advance women’s participation, leadership, and entrepreneurship in technology on a global scale.

Moderator

Purushottam Kaushik

Head - Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution India, World Economic Forum

Speakers

Zainab AlAmin

VP National Digital Transformation, Microsoft

Alaa Abdulaal

Chief of Digital Economy Intelligence, Digital Cooperation Organization

Prof. David Keyes

Senior Associate to the President, Strategic Projects, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology

Othman AlMoamar

Co-Founder, EDAD

16:30–17:15

Converging Frontiers: How Advanced Sciences are Forging Future Economies

As the boundaries between disciplines dissolve, a new wave of economic transformation is emerging, driven by the convergence of advanced sciences and industries including space, fintech, quantum, biotechnology. This convergence signals a shift from sector-specific excellence to system-level orchestration, where breakthroughs depend on shared platforms, interoperable standards, and cross-domain collaboration. Early signs of this transformation are already visible: regulatory sandboxes; interoperable data models; and cross-sector pilots, are de-risking emerging technologies and opening new markets. The next leap, however, will require scaling beyond isolated initiatives, with innovative market products, active SME participation, and new governance models that balance cooperation and competition. This session explores how converging scientific and industrial frontiers are forging the foundations of future economies.

Through real-world examples and cross-sectoral insights, the session will highlight how convergence is no longer optional; it’s the blueprint for resilient and future-ready economies. We will examine the strategic investments, regulatory foresight, and innovation ecosystems that allow convergence to flourish.

Moderator

Tammy Bui

Consultant, 17a

Speakers

Dr. Huda AlFardus

CEO, HealthGena

Dr. Talal AlSudairy

Senior Vice President, R&D, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology

Jeremy Jurgens

Managing Director & Head of the Forum's Centre for Frontier Technologies and Innovation and Centre for Cybersecurity, World Economic Forum

Prof. Tristan Farrow

Vice President for Research and Innovation, and Head of Innovation Services, NEOM

17:00–18:00

Day 1 Recap

Speaker

Dr. Waleed Gowharji

General Manager for Projects & Initiatives, Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Saudi Arabia

9:55–10:00

Industrial Leadership in the Era of Convergence

Across the world, the boundaries between industry, technology, and sustainability are blurring. Competitiveness today is no longer defined by access to resources alone, but by a nation’s ability to connect digital innovation with industrial production and sustainable practices.

This conversation with H.E. Bandar AlKhorayef explores how Saudi Arabia is building the industries of the future by linking resource strength with new technological capabilities (advanced manufacturing and smart supply chains to green materials and critical minerals.) It will highlight how industrial policy is evolving to attract investment, nurture innovation, and build the skills and partnerships needed for long-term resilience.

Moderator

Dr. Basma AlBuhairan

Managing Director, Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Saudi Arabia

Speaker

H.E. Bandar AlKhorayef

Minister, Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources in Saudi Arabia

10:05–10:30

Inside the Future: A Metaverse Journey through Advanced Manufacturing

Step into the future of industry with the Advanced Manufacturing Technologies Center (AMTC) at KACST. Designed as a hub for innovation, learning, and collaboration, AMTC brings together industry leaders, researchers, entrepreneurs, and students to explore the cutting edge of Advanced Manufacturing.

This unique metaverse session offers an immersive, interactive virtual tour of the AMTC. Participants will experience the center’s state-of-the-art facilities in real time, exploring every aspect of its advanced capabilities, from additive and subtractive manufacturing to smart logistics, simulation, quality control, and collaborative innovation spaces.

Speaker

Dr. Ibrahim AlShunaifi

Expert Researcher, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Project Lead, Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Saudi Arabia

11:00–14:00

The Sky Stack: where Drones, Satellites, and AI Intersect

As emerging technologies converge, the sky is becoming more than just empty space. It is transforming into a critical layer of global infrastructure. Drones, satellites, and AI are no longer advancing in isolation; together they are creating an integrated “sky stack” that is reshaping how goods, people, and data move. From drone-enabled logistics and AI-driven air traffic systems to low-orbit satellite networks, this convergence is redefining connectivity and even the foundations of the future space economy.

Yet, with opportunity comes complexity. Fragmented regulations and uneven investment raise questions about who governs the skies and how nations can position themselves in this fast-evolving frontier. The session will explore how leaders can navigate these challenges and harness the sky stack.

Moderator

Dr. Waleed Gowharji

General Manager for Projects & Initiatives, Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Saudi Arabia

Speakers

Kimberly Washington

Co-Founder, Deep Space Bio

Raed AlFayez

Deputy Governor of Technology Sector, Communications, Space and Technology Commission

Dr. Mariam Nouh

VP Economies of the Future Sector, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology

11:00–11:45

From Oil Fields to Lighthouses: Aramco’s journey of Scaling Industrial Transformation

This session will explore how lessons from global lighthouses can be translated into a national blueprint for industrial excellence, bridging world-class examples like Aramco’s with the broader manufacturing ecosystem, including SMEs. Through dialogue between policymakers, industry leaders, and transformation experts, the discussion will highlight the strategies, enablers, and partnerships that turn pilots into sustained national capability.

Participants will gain insight into what differentiates successful transformations from stalled efforts, the role of collaboration between the public and private sectors, and how lighthouse practices can be adapted to strengthen competitiveness, sustainability, and resilience across Saudi Arabia’s industrial landscape.

Session Framing

Meshal AlMashari

Director Corporate Venturing, Aramco Ventures

Moderator

Abdurahman Jubairy

Digital Transformation Lead, Aramco

Speakers

Eid AlHarbi

President of Connectivity, Aramco Digital

Mohammad Jalaly

Manager, Saudi Accelerated Innovation Lab (AramcoSAIL)

Rami AlOtaibi

Director of North Ghawar Producing, Aramco

11:00–12:30

The Quantum Advantage: Trust, Security, and Global Influence in the 4IR Era

In the next decade, quantum technologies won’t just power breakthroughs in science; they will redefine the meaning of trust in a digital world. Cryptography, the invisible infrastructure that secures everything from our personal messages to global financial systems, and beyond, is on the brink of disruption. With it, so is the balance of digital power. As we move towards a post-quantum cryptography world, regions, nations, and companies alike are facing similar questions: Who controls the standards? Who can secure their data for the next 50 years? And who gets to shape the rules of this new digital landscape?

This session will explore the strategic implications of quantum for global governance, cyber resilience, and economic sovereignty, and how nations, like Saudi Arabia, are positioning themselves not just as adopters but as shapers of this landscape.

Moderator

Mohammed AlSayiari

Senior Technology Consultant, Saudi Aramco

Speakers

Arunima Sarkar

Head of Frontier Technologies, World Economic Forum

Kelly Richdale

Senior Advisor, SandboxAQ

Prof. Rosario Fazio

Head of Condensed Matter and Statistical Physics Section, The Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics

Dr. Muhamad Felemban

Director / Assistant Professor, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals

11:15–12:00

Smart Factories and Digital Twins: AI-Driven Efficiency & Industrial Transformation

Factories are evolving from static production sites into intelligent, adaptive ecosystems. Enabled by AI, digital twins, cobotics, and immersive technologies, industry is shifting toward real-time simulation, predictive decision-making, and human–machine collaboration within the industrial metaverse. Smart factories are redefining how industries compete, innovate, and lead.

This session examines how intelligence is reshaping industry today, how new dimensions of competitiveness are redefining industrial power, and how human–machine collaboration will transform work, skills, and ecosystems by 2030, offering insights into the decisions, trade-offs, and breakthroughs shaping the next industrial era.

Moderator

Ayman AlJohani

CEO, IIOT Solutions

Speakers

Manish Pant

Executive Vice President, International Operations, Schneider Electric

Dana Kawas

CEO and Co-Founder, Thynkli

Dr. Dominic Gorecky

Executive Board Member, Switzerland Innovation Park Biel / Bienne AG

Khalid Al Homoud

Executive Vice President, National Industrial Development Center

12:00–12:45

Builders of the Now: Youth Voices Shaping the Age of AI

This session brings together the Global Shapers Alumni who are actively shaping the future of Artificial Intelligence across product development, scientific research, and grassroots innovation. The speakers will provide a realistic perspective on how young leaders are influencing AI ecosystems today.
 
The session will integrate personal, ethical, and system-level perspectives, providing the audience with a comprehensive understanding of how to develop technology that is both impactful and responsible.

Moderator

Naif AlDhaban

AI Product Manager at Lite, and Curator at the Global Shapers Riyadh Hub

Speakers

Dr. Faris AlSalamah

Founder, ResearchX

Lolwah Binsaedan

Founder & CEO, Juthor

Tammy Bui

Consultant, 17a

12:00–12:45

The Brain Economy: Unlocking Human Potential in the Age of Cognitive Capital

The global economy is shifting from physical to cognitive capital, where growth is driven by brain health, adaptability, and human–AI collaboration. To unlock this potential, societies must first treat brain health as critical infrastructure, ensuring mental well-being, sleep, and stress management are recognized as foundations of productivity, just like power or water.

Building on this, economies need systems for lifelong adaptability, enabling people to transition across roles through micro-credentials, reskilling, and continuous learning. At the same time, embracing inclusive cognition (designing education and work environments that support diverse cognitive profiles, from neurodivergent individuals to highly creative thinkers) ensures no potential is left untapped. These pillars converge at the frontier of the brain economy, where research, knowledge creation, and AI-human collaboration form the basis of competitiveness. This session will explore how governments, companies, and educators can align strategies to unlock human potential at scale.

Moderator

Maha Taibah

Founder and CEO, RUMMAN

Speakers

Hazleen Ahmad

Founder, Neuropower (Singapore, Dubai, Hong Kong, Philippines)

Sir Prof. Edward Byrne AC

President, King Abdullah University for Science and Technology

Dr. Mahmoud AlYamany

Sector Head, Health and Wellbeing, NEOM

12:15–13:00

Deep Tech and Digitalization: Catalysts for Global Competitiveness

Global competitiveness is increasingly defined by individual technologies and how they converge. Artificial intelligence, robotics, quantum, and biotechnology are advancing rapidly, yet it is their integration through digital infrastructure that creates transformations. Countries that master this convergence will shape industries, standards, and value chains. For Saudi Arabia, the challenge is not simply adopting deep tech but becoming a hub where these technologies scale together. Strategic capital, giga projects, and national ambition give the kingdom an opening, but barriers remain. Scaling beyond pilots, aligning capital with talent, and ensuring global interoperability will determine whether Saudi’s ecosystem gains traction or stalls.

This session brings investor and founder perspectives into dialogue, exploring overlooked opportunities, scaling bottlenecks, and the digital enablers that matter most for Saudi Arabia’s global positioning.

Moderator

Cassidy Lyon

Managing Director (Saudi Arabia), Emerging Markets Intelligence & Research

Speakers

Ali AlAsiri

Chairman & Founder, GeneEra AI

Dr. Ibrahim AlMojel

Founding Partner, Khwarizmi Holding

13:00–13:30

Agentic & Embodied AI: Redefining Interaction, Mobility, and Labor

AI is entering a new phase, shifting from tools that analyze and predict to systems that act and interact with the physical world. Agentic and Embodied AI are at the center of this change, beginning to transform sectors from healthcare and logistics to mobility through real-world applications such as surgical robots, warehouse automation, and autonomous shuttles. With these advances comes new questions, such as how do we manage the ethical, labor, and governance challenges they raise, and ensure these technologies remain safe, inclusive, and aligned with human values?

This session explores how Agentic and Embodied AI systems that act autonomously and interact physically with the world are shifting AI from passive tools to active collaborators across healthcare, logistics, and mobility. It will highlight real-world use cases and examine the ethical, labor, and governance challenges tied to their rise, focusing on how to ensure these technologies remain safe, inclusive, and aligned with human values.

Moderator

Karan Soni

Associate Partner, Mckinsey & Company

Speakers

Dr. Mazen Melibari

Founder & CEO, DEEP.SA

Dr. Omaimah Bamasag

Deputy of Transportation Enablement, Transport General Authority

Meshal AlMashari

Director Corporate Venturing, Aramco Ventures

13:05–13:50

Closing Remarks

Speaker

Dr. Raneem AlSelaimi

Deputy Managing Director, Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Saudi Arabia

13:55–14:00

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